deadly in low water

[John Gillio]

For a number of years now, this fly has been deadly on smallies and drum in low water. It can be tied in a variety of color schemes When resting ao the riverbed after a series of hopps it will sit upright with claws raised and hook up.The claws often push together in a praying position as it scoots along the bottom.

I call it the gilbones crawfish. It is basically a doctored up woolly bugger. The main body is a woolly bugger with a medium or small dumbbell weight near the hooks eye. Before tying the main body I tie in the claw feathers, the antennae (Krystal flash and peacock herl), and shell material (peacock herl or any other shiny feather material). Tie in the bugger, trim back the palmered hackle on the side of the hook bend, and bring the shell material over it, tying it in at the dumbbell.

[Andy C]

I am sure that tears them up. How is the durability?

[Dana Lee]

Quite possibly the coolest fly I've seen!

[John Gillio]

It is quite durable. It can get pretty ragged looking and still catch fish. For me it is a pain to tie right, but it is very productive. Thanks for the compliments guys.

[John Gillio]

Side view.

[Tom L]

trim back the palmered hackle on the side of the hook bend,

John - That is a very pretty looking fly. Are the claws made out of pheasant feathers? Have you tried stroking down the palmered hackle instead of triming it?

[John Gillio]

John - That is a very pretty looking fly. Are the claws made out of pheasant feathers? Have you tried stroking down the palmered hackle instead of triming it?

Thanks Tom. Yes ,I believe they are pheasant. I've used a few different kinds of feathers for the claws. I have had great luck with guinea feathers also.

 

Yes, I have stroked down the feathers also. I just like the look better if they are trimmed when I use peacock herl as the shell material.